Administration and Resource Management Division,

Security Programs and Information Management

Branch (ARS)

Headquarters Marine Corps

Foreign Travel Brief

HQMC Security Manager: Kevin J. White

HQMC Assistant Security Manager: Michael J. Watson

Phone Number: (703) 614-3609

Topics

1. Vulnerability Awareness

How you may be a target

Suspicious Contacts

Foreign Travel and Crime

2. Personal Safety

Maintaining a low profile &

Local Laws

Foreign arrest and detention

Hotel safety tips

Travel safety tips

3. Terrorist Threat Information

Terrorist tactics & Threats to travel

4. Before You Go

Preparations

U.S. Embassy, Consulate, &

Additional Contacts

2

You may be targeted by foreign entities seeking information

pertaining but not limited to your organizations:

Personnel, security, operations, system capabilities, program

milestones and specifications.

Research, development, testing, and evaluation.

Examples of techniques used by foreign entities for collecting

information include:

Bugged hotel rooms or airline cabins.

Intrusion into or search of hotel rooms and hotel room safes.

Unauthorized access to or theft of electronic devices and

installation of malicious software.

Tracking activity via ATM transactions, internet usage

and Wi-Fi access points.

Intercepting of email/fax transmissions.

Enhanced interviews by customs officials. Vu

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s You may be a Target

3

There are many ways foreign entities attempt to make

contact and gain information. These are a few examples:

Airport screening or hotel room incursions.

Fraudulent purchase requests or market surveys.

Attempts to lure personnel into situations that could lead to

bribery, blackmail, or extortion.

Never feel obligated to answer questions which make you

feel uncomfortable. If you are approached by someone

you feel is trying to solicit information:

Maintain your composure and try to change the subject.

Observe and take note of what the individual

looks like.

Immediately REPORT the information

to a U. S. Embassy or Consulate.

Suspicious Contacts V

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4

When traveling abroad, you must know how to

protect yourself and safeguard your belongings.

Practice the following tips when traveling:

Stay alert and exercise good judgment.

Try to find out which areas of town are unsafe and

avoid them.

Keep your car doors locked & belongings out of sight.

Don’t stop for accidents; call for help from a safe area.

Minimize the amount of cash you carry.

Be wary of street vendors and youngsters as they

may be decoys for pick pockets.

Be mindful of people following you or

eavesdropping. Vu

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s Foreign Travel and Crime

5

Whether you are traveling for work or leisure, your safety is

paramount. Be aware of local laws & don’t make assumptions.

DO NOT photograph government facilities, foreign military

bases, buildings, personnel, or religious symbols as it may be

prohibited.

DO NOT take photographs in foreign police vicinities. You could

be detained for many reasons, including simple curiosity.

Try to blend in with your surroundings by:

Driving inconspicuous vehicles, using unmarked parking spaces,

varying where you park, and avoiding establishing routines.

Hiding material that is or may look expensive.

Exchanging money to local currency.

Only sharing information about your personal

life and security efforts to trusted friends and

security personnel.

Per

son

al

Safe

ty

Maintain a Low Profile &

Know Your Local Laws

6

If you are detained or arrested for any reason:

Exercise good judgment and be professional in your

demeanor.

Stay calm, maintain your dignity, and do not do anything to

provoke the arresting officer.

Ask to contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

DO NOT admit to anything or volunteer any information.

DO NOT sign anything until the document is examined by an

attorney or an embassy/consulate representative.

DO NOT accept anyone at face value: Request identification

from embassy/consulate representatives.

DO NOT fall for the ruse of helping the ones

who are detaining you in return for

your release.

Foreign Arrest and Detention P

erso

nal

Safe

ty

7

Hotel Safety Tips DO NOT stay in hotel rooms that are located on the first floor or

easily accessible from the outside.

DO NOT accept deliveries unless previously arranged.

DO NOT leave your room key at the front desk; keep your room

key with you at all times.

DO NOT use the hotel phone to discuss travel plans.

Only patronize reputable hotels.

Note escape routes.

Secure your door and keep windows locked.

When away from your room, keep the television or radio on.

In high threat areas, avoid riding in elevators.

Avoid hotel paging.

Be aware that some countries require you to leave

your passport with hotel reception over night so it

may be checked by local authorities.

Per

son

al

Safe

ty

8

Always remain alert and maintain a cautious attitude.

Walk toward traffic and in the middle of the sidewalk.

Don’t wear clothing that immediately identifies you

as an American.

Whenever possible, travel in groups.

Avoid public transportation (i.e., buses).

Choose your own taxi.

Avoid isolated roads, danger areas, civil disturbances,

and crowds.

Be alert to anyone who appears to be following you.

Have working knowledge of the

local language.

Per

son

al

Safe

ty

Travel Safety Tips

9

Acts of terror happen around the world. Be aware of terrorist

tactics, which include but are not limited to:

Ter

rori

st T

hre

at

Info

Terrorist Tactics &

Threats to Travel

Visit the Foreign Clearance Guide for specific area of

responsibility requirements and the U.S. Department of State

website to review Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and

individual country specific information.

Foreign Clearance Guide:

https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/fcg.cfm

Department of State:

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country.html 10

Bombing

Kidnapping

Hostage-taking

Hijacking

Assassinations

Arson

Biological

& chemical

attacks

Robbery

Extortion

Preparation requirements will vary depending on destination,

trip length and purpose. Before you go:

Inform others of your itinerary.

Know the local laws and customs.

Enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment

Program at: https://step.state.gov/step/

Check health and immunization information with Center for

Disease Control and World Health Organization.

Establish a point of contact for your family.

Keep all medications in their original container.

Make copies of your passport and other

important documents.

Bef

ore

You

Go

Preparations

11

Bef

ore

You

Go Even with the best preparations, things can go

wrong. Know where to seek assistance should an

emergency occur.

Find the most relevant U. S. Embassy and Consulate

contact information, including surrounding

landmarks.

In addition, make sure you have contacts for your:

Financial institution.

Insurance company.

Family members.

U.S. Embassy, Consulate,

& Additional Contacts

12

You have completed the HQMC Foreign

Travel Brief. The next page is the completion

certificate. Complete and provide a copy

when you submit your Notification of Foreign

Travel form.

Congratulations!

Key Points:

Stay Alert and try to maintain a low profile.

Know where you are going and let someone know.

Know what the local laws are.

Know where and how to contact the nearest embassy.

Report anything suspicious.

You are the first line of defense in protecting classified

information and defense technologies.

13

Certificate of Completion

I, ,acknowledge that I have

completed the HQMC Foreign Travel Brief on

SECURITY COORDINATOR

SIGNATURE

DATE

MEMBER’S SIGNATURE